NDSU holds casual volunteer network fair
No need for suits, ties or skirts, which is the usual attire people choose to wear at a career fair.
The NDSU Volunteer Network sponsored its fifth annual volunteer fair Wednesday.
In previous years, the event was called the Volunteer Extravaganza.
The revamped name for the annual event is the Volunteer and Non-Profit Career Fair.
More than 30 organizations discussed volunteer opportunities and possible internship opportunities with students passing through the Memorial Union Ballroom.
“ There are so many different career opportunities in the non-profit world, such as sitting on a board of directors, working on a committee or even working as the marketing director for the American Cancer Society,” Melissa Kirklewski, Volunteer Network student coordinator, said.
Kirklewski said Kara Stack, supervisor for the Volunteer Network, felt that there was a need for students to know about non-profit opportunities.
The Volunteer Network wanted to keep the fair a casual event and make it easy for students to network.
“ Non-profits are a great way to get experience,” Kirklewski said.
The fair was also held with the intention of cutting out the middleman.
The Volunteer Network wanted to make it as easy as possible for students to get involved. Service is important for the community, Kirklewski said.
Kirklewski said NDSU students, as a whole, really have an interest in volunteering and getting involved in the community.
Students who came through the ballroom agreed with Kirklewski.
“ It informs the students that there are a lot of volunteering experiences out there and that we should be involved in them to help people in our community,” Zach Anhorn, a junior in business, said.
After the fair, the Volunteer Network held a discussion to talk about how to improve for next year.
“ I think it’s a good thing for NDSU because it allows NDSU to reach its community and gives NDSU a good name,” Jamison Strege, a junior in pharmacy, said.
The fair is not only an opportunity for students, but also an opportunity for different organizations to talk to each other and network.
“That’s how you see the innovative programs come to light,” Kirklewski said.
Many organizations such as health, disability, senior programs, community development, youth, diversity, parks and recreations, arts and culture and women’s support services programs in the Fargo-Moorhead area were all represented.
The NDSU Volunteer Network consists of six student coordinators: Temi-Tope Akingboye, Erin Benshoof, Carly Hearn, Melissa Kirklewski, Justin Kutzer and Courtney Smith.
Supervisors of the program are Melissa Wright and Kara Stack.